Sikh traditions and how they are unique from other religions
Sikhism is the world fifth largest religion. According to the Sikh population is over 25 million, of which only 3 million live in India (Loewenstein, 2017). The geographical location of Sikhism is in the Punjab region of western India. Guru Nanak and nine other Gurus founded Sikhism. Sikhs believe and have one faith in God. The paper here discusses the Sikh traditions and how they are unique from other religions.
The term Guru in Sikhism refers to a spiritual leader who dispels darkness. Guru is the liberator who brings forth spiritual guidance for the soul. Sikhs are considered spiritual seekers. According to Nesbitt (2018), all Sikhs are disciples of Guru Granth Sahib. Therefore, no Sikh disciple is to personify the status of a Guru. Doing so would be an act of blasphemy against Sikhism.
The five k`s of Sikhs are different, and each has a specific and unique meaning. The first is Kesh, which states that for one to be a Sikh, they should have uncut hair. The Sikh attribute uncut hair to holiness and submission to God`s will (Mann, 2016). Besides, it symbolizes simplicity in one`s life. The second K is Kangha. It is a small wooden comb to keep oneself clean spiritually and physically. One should take care of their body since it is a path to spiritual awakening.
Kara is a silver bracelet in which all Sikhs wear. The bracelet is a reminder of their connection to God. The bracelet also keeps the Sikhs from going against Guru`s teachings. The fourth K is Kachera, which is underwear. Lastly, the Kirpan is a sword which the Sikh used for protection. One ought to protect the good and the weak in society.
In conclusion, the Sikh practices have a powerful connection to their history. Every Sikh is connected. Sikhism advocates for spiritual guidance, and the Guru`s teachings are the connection to God.